Physicians and Impella® Help Recover Father’s Heart in Japan

39-year-old Tatsuya Hamano, a husband, father, and accountant at a wholesale fruit and vegetable supplier, experienced difficulty breathing while riding his bicycle to work in Kanagawa, Japan. He was transported to a nearby hospital where medical teams suspected he had contracted COVID-19. Although Tatsuya tested negative for the virus, physicians discovered his heart was enlarged and admitted him for further evaluation. Tatsuya was treated with medication for nearly three months, but his condition did not improve. Physicians considered a heart transplant or ventricular assist device (VAD). 

Tatsuya was then transferred to Kitasato University Hospital where cardiologist, Dr. Yuki Ikeda, diagnosed him with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Dr. Ikeda implanted the Impella 5.0® heart pump to allow his heart to rest. Within two weeks, Tatsuya began rehabilitation while on Impella® support. Impella was explanted and a month later his heart recovered enough to function on its own. Tatsuya returned home to his wife and daughter days later. He is now back to work and enjoys a healthier lifestyle with his family.